Infinity War Death Pool

Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War comes out April 27th, and everybody knows it is going to be one of the all time biggest cinematic experiences. Both the intentional marketing, as well as all behind the scene press is maintaining the magnitude and gravity of this film on multiple accounts. Not only is it being presented as the grandest movie of all time with the more characters being brought together than ever before, but also having a lasting impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As for the last few years now, with movies such as Captain America: Civil War, many Marvel fans are speculating not if characters will die, but which one. This comes for a variety of reasons, with the three biggest being the real life ages and years dedicated to these characters and the actors/actresses being ready to move on from them, their contracts coming to an end, and the canonical comic storylines these movies are pulling from.

While there was speculation of death in past Marvel movies, with rumors running rampant on if every character would safely make it out of Civil War alive, but with Infinity War, it is practically a guarantee. With Thanos’ shadow having loomed over the Marvel Universe for many years, it is pertinent that he makes his presence felt. Not only have fans been expecting death to come in the newest Avengers film, but they are practically clamoring for it. Marvel president Kevin Feige had this to say about the chance of death and finality in this movie: “Yes. I mean, I could always list off the characters that we’ve killed in our movies that haven’t come back, but the big ones, which I know they’re looking at …? [Pause.] I would just say, yes. People need to be careful what they wish for.”

So with all that being said, if Thanos is bringing certain death and impending doom to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who is most likely to be on the chopping block? I will break it down into 4 groups of characters that are confirmed to be in the movie before going over who I think are the most likely candidates to meet their maker come the 27th of April:

The New Additions: These characters were brought into the MCU during Phase 2 or 3 and look to play a major role going forward (and may even have new movies in development) so they certainly aren’t going anywhere:

T’Challa

Ant-Man and The Wasp

Spider-Man

Dr. Strange

Scarlet Witch

The Side Characters: The role playersT of the Marvel Universe would be a great way to show Thanos’ power and create a great emotional build for our characters to avenge their loss, pun intended. However, some of these characters may be primed for bigger roles in the wake of other characters’ deaths.

War Machine

Winter Soldier

Sam “Falcon” Wilson

Any Guardian of the Galaxy not named Peter Quill

Wong

Okoye

M’Baku

Valkyrie

Loki

Non Hero Characters: There are plenty of love interests, friends, family members and side characters that could accidentally get in Thanos’ way. That would be another way to build an emotional journey for our heroes and show the general ruthlessness of Thanos.

Pepper Potts

Sharon Carter

Aunt May

Shuri

Happy Hogan

Nick Fury

Agent Coulson/Maria Hill

Avengers: There are characters that have been around for the last 6-10 years and have all been in multiple movies now and the MCU may very well be looking to move on in different directions from them, or even be ready to surrender some of those very mantles to other characters.

Captain America

Thor

The Hulk

Iron Man

Black Widow

Hawkeye

The Vision

Peter Quill

Captain America-

So of those characters, which ones are the most expendable? Well starting with the top of the Avengers, it would make sense that a big domino needs to fall to not only get Phase 4 moving, but to show that Thanos is for real. Of those major Avengers, which would be most likely to go? Well, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans have long been rumored to be ready to move on from their respective roles. So, I would not be shocked to see either of those characters die in heroic fashion in this movie, but of the two, Captain America is my guess. The narratives line up for him to sacrifice himself, even when he is being treated as a villain and an outcast among his own. Not only that, but there are two legitimate characters who have been built up over time that both get their turn in the stars and stripes at various points within the comics. Bucky Barnes is on an arc to redemption that has lasted over the 3 different movies, and Sam Wilson has been acting as a hero and as a part of the Avengers for years now. Either one of them would make a great Captain America in the MCU and are more than ready to take over the mantle, which makes Captain America the most expendable Avenger.

Vision-

Another Avenger I think is prime to bite the dust, would be Vision. Vision is a character that has had a quick but strong introduction to the MCU and already has had built relationships with multiple Avengers, including one romantic relationship with Scarlet Witch. Not only would that create an emotional moment for Wanda Maximoff, with her losing the two most important characters in her life. More importantly however, are the narrative implications at play with the Mind Gem Infinity Stone that resides in his forehead and brought him to life in Age of Ultron.

War Machine–

Colonel James Rhodes, aka Rhodey, aka Iron Patriot, aka War Machine, is Tony Stark’s right hand man, and has now been at the forefront of a feud with Captain America as shown in Civil War that almost resulted in his death. Don Cheadle brings a level of gravitas to a character that plays a small but vital role in this universe. His death could provide a pivotal moment, and one where he can do more in death than he ever could in living.

Nebula–

The Guardians of the Galaxy are the characters that have most interacted with Thanos in this universe and at the very least they are the most familiar. Nebula, Gamora and Drax all have both personal relationships and personal vendettas against Thanos and will certainly be gunning for him. While any of those would be valid options, and I would not be surprised to see Drax die in the blaze of glory, my guess is none other than the somewhat nefarious Nebula. Nebula is the adopted daughter of Thanos, and would be the perfect character to get her moment of revenge against her father and sacrifice her life to do so, maybe even to save the life of her sister Gamora.

Loki–

Of the many villains that have appeared in the MCU, one character has made a much greater impact and shown his face many more times than anyone else. That character is none other than the trickster himself, Loki. Thor’s “adopted” brother has now appeared in 4 different movies, before his appearance in the upcoming Infinity War. Throughout these movies, we have seen him by both a villain and an anti-hero, before leaving him off on a journey with our heroes hurling towards Earth at the end of Ragnarok. While, Loki is certainly still not to be trusted, that makes him an even more likely character to die. While, one option on the table is that he betrays the heroes and aligns himself with Thanos, that does not necessarily save him from Thanos’ rage. The two characters have some history, and Loki may very well turn on him by the end of this movie anyway. There is a good chance that we have characters on both sides of the fight coming after Loki before the film wraps up, which makes him an excellent candidate for this list, especially when you consider where else his journey has left to take him.

So there you have it, one author’s prediction at the characters with the best chances of dying at the hands of Thanos in Infinity War: Captain America, Vision, War Machine, Nebula and Loki. What do you think? What characters do you think have the best chance of dying in this movie? Let us know in the comments below!